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by jen24 from West Allis

Last Post 14 days, 6 hours Ago


Getting back to the basics
Jan 23, 2008 | 9:51 AM
Category: Faith
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A meeting with my Pastor last night really opened my eyes to what being a Christian really means.

 

During the Lenten season my Pastor thinks it is important to go back to the basics of being a Christian.  There will be these mini "reminder" sessions during Lent where members of our congregation will speak on these basics.

 

However!  Why wait!  Pick up the Small Catechism and refresh yourself.  Or better yet, pick up the Large Catechism and be enlightened!

 

The Preface to the Small Catechism written by Dr. Martin Luther is one of the best reads!  He writes "....everyone says that they are Christians, have been baptized, and receive holy Sacraments, even though they cannot even recite the Lord's Prayer or the Creed or the Ten Commandments. They live like dumb brutes and irrational hogs.  Now that the Gospel has come, they have nicely learned to abuse all freedom like experts."

  Luther was prompted to put together The Small Catechism because he discovered that people who called themselves Christians did not know the basics of what being a Christian meant.

 

A good metaphor Pastor brought up (him being a HUGE sports fan!) put it like this.  When an athlete is going through a slump, what do they do?  They go back to the basics of the game!  Spring training for example is a time for baseball players to refresh themselves on the basics of the game.

 

Of course this is all from a Lutheran's point of view.  But regardless of what religion you practice, it is always nice to refresh yourself with the basics, to get back to that understanding of your faith.

 

 

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Member Comments Total Comments: 16
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gardendesigner read my blog view my photos
Jan 23, 2008 | 10:09 AM

Good post Jen, Thanks for the insight, and inspiration....
I am going to do it!!

~vanessa
Basher51 read my blog view my photos
Jan 23, 2008 | 9:37 PM

Jen! Great to hear from you again! Thought that you had dropped out. :(

Me being nondenominational I don't practice a catechism. However, we started a program of "Faith Comes By Hearing". For 40 days we read through (or listen to) the New Testament. Getting back to the basics. At least once a year we need to put all the fancy stuff aside and concentrate on the basics.
gardendesigner read my blog view my photos
Jan 23, 2008 | 10:49 PM

Basher,
I was raised Luthern, but I have Been Born again now for 20 years.... I go to one of the "Brook" churches.(North)
Did you hear they just opened one up in sussex?
I have been planning on visiting there sometime soon.
Take it easy... More snow tonight... more shoveling!!
~Vanessa
gardendesigner read my blog view my photos
Jan 23, 2008 | 10:50 PM

Lutheran
jen24 read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 7:39 AM

Oh I'm not dropping out on this blogging community just because some people have issues. I like it here.

I just have lifely dramas to contend with which is occupying my time.

But I digress.

Glad to hear from you Basher and Gardendesigner!
MrsTracy read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 3:48 PM

Vanessa, you and I may go to the same church.
MrsTracy read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 3:49 PM

Now that I am thinking of it, if your church is close to your shop, then we do. Which btw, I did try to find it last weekend. What is the name of it?
aaro-nf read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 4:20 PM

jen24, very honorable of you to post this wonderful and interesting blog.
Basher51 read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 4:36 PM

Vanessa, I attend Wooded Hills Bible Church in Richfield on Hwy. 164. Not far from Northbrook. Yeah, I saw that the *brook folks had a new church meeting at Woodfield School in Sussex. Northbrook planted it, didn't they?
GITRDONE read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 4:59 PM

ptsp
jen24 read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 6:37 PM

You know this philosophy of going back to the fundamentals can apply towards pretty much anything in life...not just in faith.

*Whats up with not being able to see the comments unless ya post????*
MrsTracy read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 6:41 PM

Jen,

You are exactly right. I remember my years of learning the Catechism, but I don't remember using my bible. I was once told that if the church you are in preaches the gospel, then it is a good church. But I learned that if they preach it, but it is not practiced, then why bother going?
MrsTracy read my blog view my photos
Jan 24, 2008 | 6:43 PM

I was wondering the same thing Jen. Must be technical difficulties. I suppose one way around it is to just post. But it would be nice to know what you are posting to.
jen24 read my blog view my photos
Jan 25, 2008 | 7:28 AM

I think that SOME people have this idea that we Christians live a life strictly according to the Bible...and thats not entirely true. We are all sinners, but thru our faith in confession and thru the Holy Eucharist we are forgiven. That however is NOT to say that I do whatever I please because I feel I am forgiven. But I do have my own opinions and feelings regarding certain aspects of life.

For the little reminders during Lent, I am one of the LUCKY (heehee) speakers. I chose to speak of the Lord's Supper. My little schpeel isn't till March, but I already have TONS of info...the only problem: limiting it to 10-15 minutes! Pastor said to have fun and be creative, so my mind is OF COURSE working overtime on the creative aspect. HA!
MrsTracy read my blog view my photos
Jan 26, 2008 | 3:07 PM

Jen, that is cool that your church does someting like that. Mine is still new to me, so I will see what this Lenten season brings.

But my daughter did volunteer so sing a solo when her choir sings during Lent. I can't wait for that, but I sure hope she doesn't get nervous.
Tecant read my blog view my photos
Jan 26, 2008 | 7:57 PM

Back to the basics of faith. Lent IS a good time for doing that, for spending more time with your Bible, for remembering to live your life closer to God.

My Bible project for right now is to adapt a Bible study on the story of Ruth for use on a mission trip with my daughter in June. I've long enjoyed studying the lives of Old Testament people. Today we have iPods and computers but human beings really haven't changed in 3000 years.
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jen24

I have TWO FABULOUS kids. Every Sunday I go to karaoke to hang out with friends and sing some tunes. I spend time on MySpace keeping in touch with friends and family. If you want to make a response to me personally as opposed to leaving one on the blog itself, my email is jenmeyer24@hotmail.com

Member Since: 10/31/2006


 

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